The Tripod

The Tripod polled students, asking whether or not they voted and, if so, for whom? [Click to enlarge]

Trinity College students were part of one of the largest youth voter turnouts in U.S. history at this year's presidential election. An increase of one to six percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 voted, according to preliminary polls released by the nonpartisan Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University. In the months leading up to last week's election, the New Voter's Project, a division of Connecticut Peer Interest Research Group (ConnPIRG), helped rally Trinity students and register them to vote.

"New Voter's Project is the country's oldest and most successful youth voter mobilization group," said Jamie Walsh, Trinity's ConnPIRG Campus Organizer. In recent years, the project has been able to substantially increase the number of youth voters. "We need to get politicians to start paying attention to students and the issues they care about," Walsh added.

Although many students choose absentee ballots in order to vote in their home state, all Trinity students legally qualify to register to vote in the state of Connecticut. With that in mind, ConnPIRG's goal was to register as many students as possible, hoping to ensure the registration of 90 percent of the campus, in Hartford or elsewhere, by the election on Nov. 4. Members of the Project participated in tabling efforts outside Mather at mealtimes, by making announcements in class, and by taking part in dorm storming, which involves canvassing the College's residence halls.

"[Dorm storming] was the most fun," says Liz Dalton '11, a member of the Project. "You really get to meet a lot of students and make sure voting is on their mind, even if they've already registered."

As with most ConnPIRG projects, the New Voter's Project is a statewide campaign. Members from the University of Connecticut Greater Hartford assisted with dorm storming the night before the deadline. In addition, members of the project at the University of Connecticut Storrs registered 3,000 students, a feat Krystal L. Ramirez '10, head of the project, called "amazing."

By Oct. 21, the deadline to register in Connecticut, 276 new Trinity students had registered to vote, bringing the total to 700. "We had a good core group of volunteers that were really dedicated and it was very fun working with them," said Ramirez. "All of our volunteers knew how to double check the forms to give the registrars the least amount of trouble processing as possible," Walsh added.

Voter turnout was the next goal of the New Voter's Project. Large signs inside and outside of Mather proclaimed the date and times for voting at the Learning Corridor, Trinity's polling station. Tables outside of the dining hall distributed baked goods to students who pledged to vote. Students who had registered to vote were reminded to do so via text message, e-mail, and phone. Members of the Project organized groups to walk to the Learning Corridor at various times during Election Day.

"The night before election day, we spent two hours chalking campus," said Ramirez. "I never realized how much work it was!" The chalking included phrases and slogans encouraging students to vote, arrows pointing towards the Learning Corridor, and reminders of what to bring.

Members of the project received many positive responses to their efforts. "One guy said 'You rock for doing this,'" Dalton said. "Others commented on the convenience of being able to vote right across from campus and were amazed on how easy the form was to fill out".

The results are promising. "We haven't gotten the number from the Hartford Registrars yet for how many students did turn out and the percentage increase," Walsh said, "but across the country, it seems that the youth voter turnout for this election surpassed the 65 and older vote." In fact, young voter turnout surged by at least 2.2 million votes over 2004 levels, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. "Clearly, young people do care," said Ramirez.

"I think that voting at the Learning Corridor was very convenient because it is a quick walk across the street," said Cathi Meunier '11, "and when I went with my friend we didn't have to wait in line for long."

Volunteers found their efforts worthwhile. "Working with the New Voter's Project was a rewarding way to connect with Trinity students and help them exercise their individual right to vote," said Kat Conaway '11. "Every voter, no matter what candidate they chose to support, should be proud of their efforts to get their voice heard in this election."

Editor's Note: Katie Marinello is a member of ConnPIRG and Krystal Ramirez is on the Tripod staff

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